What happens at my first court date?
The first date is usually a short 'mention', not the hearing. Here are the first steps of the court journey as Court Pilot lays them out.
- Understand what you are charged with — First, work out exactly what the police say you did. Your Court Attendance Notice (the CAN) is the paper that lists each charge, your court date, and which court to go to. For each charge there are 'elements' (the specific things the police must prove). Knowing them helps you decide what to do.
- Get advice — early — A person does not have to do this alone, and advice early on can change everything. For advice about your matter, speak to Hanna Legal on (02) 9268 0444. Many people seek advice before deciding how to plead.
- First court date (the 'mention') — A 'mention' is a short first court date where the judge checks the details and asks whether the person has a lawyer and how they intend to plead. A final plea is not required on day one — an adjournment (a short delay, usually 2–4 weeks) can be requested to obtain advice. Arriving early can help.
Want to know what this means for you?
The free guide walks your own charge through to court, step by step. For advice about your matter, speak to Hanna Legal.
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